Trump Visits Yokota

By Senior Airman Donald Hudson, 374th Airlift Wing / Published November 05, 2017

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President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to a crowd of service members and their families upon arriving to Japan, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. This marked the first time Trump visited Japan as president. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

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U.S. service member’s families wave to President Donald J. Trump, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. President Trump signed notes from children, shook hands and greeted many of the family members before a Troop Talk. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

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President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted to Japan by the Yokota Air Base Honor Guard, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. This marked the first time Trump visited Japan as president. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

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President Donald J. Trump signs a note from a young audience member, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Trump greeted service member’s families and thanked them for their sacrifice during a Troop Talk. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

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Yokota Air Base Honor Guard members wait in formation for the arrival of President Donald J. Trump, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Trump’s visit to service members at Yokota started off his 12 day trip throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

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Airmen with the 374th Airlift Squadron wait and watch for the arrival of President Donald J. Trump, before a Troop Talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The president held a Troop Talk with U.S. and Japanese military members to start off his 12 day tour of the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

President Donald J. Trump visits Yokota Air Base

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President Donald J. trump greets Lt. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, during a Troop Talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. During his talk, Trump highlighted the importance of the U.S. – Japan alliance in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Juan Torres)

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President Donald J. Trump puts on a flight jacket during a Troop Talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. U.S. Forces Japan and Yokota Air Base leadership presented the flight jacket to the president during the Troop Talk. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

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A flight jacket sits on a table before being presented to President Donald J. Trump, during his visit, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. A message inside the jacket read “Presented by the women and men of the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base”. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Juan Torres)

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U.S. and Japanese military members wait for the arrival of President Donald J. Trump, before a Troop Talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The president held a Troop Talk with U.S. and Japanese military members to start off his 12 day tour of the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

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President Donald J. Trump greets service members during a troop talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. During his talk, Trump highlighted the importance of the U.S. – Japan alliance in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Juan Torres)

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President Donald J. Trump speaks to service members and their families during a Troop Talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. President Trump spoke to the importance of the friendship between the United States and Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

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President Donald J. Trump addresses service members during a Troop Talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. During his talk, Trump highlighted the importance of the U.S. – Japan alliance in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Juan Torres)

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President Donald J. Trump addresses service members during a Troop Talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. During his talk, Trump highlighted the importance of the U.S. – Japan alliance in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Juan Torres)

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President Donald J. Trump waves to service members and their families upon arriving to Japan, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. This marked the first time Trump visited Japan as president. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

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President Donald J. Trump waves good-buy as he boards Marine One after a Troop Talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. President Trump left Yokota to meet with Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, and other Japanese leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)

Yokota Air Base, Japan --

President Donald J. Trump greeted around 2,000 U.S. and Japanese service members and their families as he made his first official visit as president to Japan, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Trump’s visit to Yokota was the start of his scheduled 12-day trip throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region, to include Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. The trip is the longest trip to Asia by any U.S. president in the last 25 years, a trip that is intended to demonstrate America’s commitment to strengthening longstanding United States alliances and expanding new partnerships.

After stepping off Air Force One, the president and first lady were welcomed by U.S. Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, United States Forces Japan senior leadership and the base commander.

The president and first lady then shook hands, took pictures and spoke with some of the service members and their families before the President took the stage to speak to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines during a Troop Talk.

“There is no single place I would rather start my trip than right here with all of you,’ said Trump. “The incredible men and women of the United States military and your amazing partners, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.”

Lt. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, introduced the commander in chief to the troops.

Martinez and Col. Kenneth Moss, 374th Airlift Wing commander, presented the president with a flight jacket adorned with a Pacific Air Forces patch and a leather name tag as a token of appreciation for his visit to Yokota.

The president thanked service members and their families for their sacrifices and spoke about the importance of the enduring friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

“Japan is a treasured partner and crucial ally of the United States, and today we thank them for welcoming us and for decades of wonderful friendship between our two nations,” said Trump. “Americans have deep respect for the people of Japan, their amazing culture, their strong spirit and their very proud history.”

Trump’s talk with troops at Yokota Air Base was the first presidential engagement of its kind to happen at Yokota Air Base.

After the president’s speech, he boarded Marine One for a short helicopter ride to meet with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, and other Japanese government leaders.

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